Liquid container cap with integral steeper

ABSTRACT

A disposable drinking cup cap includes a lid attachable to an upper lip of a drinking cup and a steeper integrally formed from the lid. The steeper pivots between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover an upper opening of the drinking cup, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the drinking cup from the lid. The lid further includes a cover portion extending substantially over the upper opening of the drinking cup, and a lid retainer integrally formed from the cover portion and engageable with the upper lip of the drinking cup. Accordingly, the lid retainer extends about a periphery of the cover portion.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a liquid container cap with an integral steeper. More particularly, the present invention relates to a disposable hot drink cup lid having a multi-position integral steeper that adjustably immerses a teabag in a beverage solution.

Beverages such as coffee, cocoa, tea, or the like are typically placed in a cup and covered with a disposable lid. Cups are generally manufactured from Styrofoam or other comparable paper material. For hot drinks, especially, the cup may include an insulation material disposed therearound. The corresponding lid fits over the top of the cup and is effective to prevent spillage. But, after lid placement, users may endeavor to add additional liquids or sweeteners such as milk, cream, flavor extracts, sugar, or the like. Typically, it is necessary to remove the lid so that users may add these desired ingredients. After removing the lid with one hand, the user basically has two choices. In one instance, the user sets the cup down on a stable surface and adds the desired ingredients with the hand originally holding the cup. If the user is unable to free the hand holding the cup, the user must release the lid in order to add the requisite ingredients. These actions are inconvenient and difficult, especially for on-the-go users. Moreover, such actions are even unsanitary in the latter instance.

The aforementioned cups are especially unsatisfactory for use with flavored drinks that are prepared by immersing a porous bag, containing tea or another flavoring, in a liquid. Immersing a teabag, for example, in hot water allows soluble components from the tea to mix with the solution thereby producing the flavored beverage. This process is called steeping or brewing by infusion. Teabags absorb liquid and swell in size thereby increasing in weight during steeping. The longer the teabag remains in the hot water solution, the stronger the beverage tastes. Teabags remain in the hot water until the desired darkness and tea strength is achieved. Users must dispose of the teabag after removal.

Cups typically include a cover or lid to prevent the beverage from splashing, spilling, or becoming contaminated from external substances. The lids are sized and shaped to fit on and around the edge of a drink container. Most lids are specifically designed for consumption rather than beverage preparation. Some lids include an opening sealed by a depressible tab or hinged flap. Other lids incorporate a small opening therein to allow beverage consumption from the side wall or through a straw. Straw insertion areas are typically formed by cutting two symmetrical crossing incisions through the lid. Users force the straw tip through the incised area to access the beverage. The lids are also typically configured for use with multi-sized cups, like disposable cups commonly used at fast food restaurants. These disposable lids are manufactured from a disposable plastic or other comparable material. Drinking cups generally have a circular upper lip or rim with a bead to receive and secure the lid thereon. Still other lids function to moderate beverage temperature to prevent cooling of a hot liquid or to prevent warming of a cold liquid.

The aforementioned cups and lids generally do not anticipate use with a teabag. Tea is brewed by placing a teabag in hot water. The teabag is attached to a string that hangs over the outside edge of the cup. A finger tip sized tag is generally attached to the string at the opposite end of the teabag. These tabs frequently inadvertently fall into the cup when either pouring the hot water or stirring the beverage. The soggy string and tag are then fished out of the beverage in order to eventually remove the teabag.

Teabags are suspended within the liquid portion of the cup to avoid having the tags or string fall to the cup bottom. This allows the consumer to immerse a teabag within the hot water without touching the teabag or liquid. In one design, the string is attached to the cup edge or cup walls. When the tag and string are attached to the cup wall, the distance the teabag extends into the liquid is relatively fixed. Hence, beverages can only be brewed while the hot water is high enough to immerse the bag therein. Unfortunately, placing the teabag near the cup top increases the risk of liquid splashing. Hot water splashing out of the cup may injure the person preparing, serving, or consuming the beverage. Splashing may also stain surrounding objects such as clothing or a tablecloth. In some instances the cup may become top-heavy when the teabag is attached to an outward extending cup wall. Top-heavy cups are prone to tipping and spilling. In particular, these cups are not suitable for preparation or consumption for users on-the-go. The teabag is removed by pulling the string when the teabag is brewed to user satisfaction.

Prior art cup and lid combinations fail to address the growing need to accommodate tea drinkers unable to stop and wait for the steeping process. Current intricate cup and lid combinations designed to retain teabags are complicated in structure and are too costly to manufacture on a large scale. Hence, there are no practical disposable cup and lid combinations suitable for such use. Furthermore, the lids are not readily stackable and therefore cost more to ship and store. Other designs do not include a handle or other mechanism to retain the teabag tag. Users must manually dip the teabag in the hot water. This is particularly difficult for users on-the-go because users must hold the cup with one hand and manually dip the teabag with the other hand. These cups and lids do not provide a mechanism wherein the teabag is held in place during the steeping process or when the beverage is being consumed. Hence, many tea drinkers need two hands to support and manipulate the beverage cup, corresponding lid (if detached), and teabag. Users no longer have a free hand and must juggle the cup with other belongings. Furthermore, traditional teabag cups and lids are especially inconvenient for on-the-go users. Users with limited time are taxed by the extensive pre-use preparation process, especially when handling multiple items such as carry-out food, other beverages, a briefcase, or other work or travel related items. Manipulating and operating the cup, lid, and teabag is simply too much.

Accordingly, there is a need for a disposable drink cup lid with an integral steeper. Such a lid should be easily stackable and cost effective to manufacture. The lid should incorporate the steeper such that a teabag, for example, is substantially immersed in the liquid held within the corresponding cup. Such a steeper should be located concentric to the corresponding cup and have multiple configurations that enable users to continually immerse a corresponding teabag as the beverage is consumed. The present invention fulfills these needs and provides further related advantages.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a liquid container cap, preferably a disposable drinking cup cap generally including a lid and a steeper. The lid includes a cover portion extending substantially over an upper opening of the container. The lid may also include a peripheral lid retainer integrally formed from the cover portion and engageable with an upper lip of the container. A slit in the cover portion of the lid may be configured to selectively receive a straw. Alternatively, a drinking aperture in the lid is capable of dispensing the contents of the container (drinking cup) for consumption.

The steeper preferably comprises a slit, a hook or an angled slot and is integrally formed from the lid. Accordingly, the steeper is defined in the cover portion by a set of scorelines therein. The steeper is pivotable between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover the upper opening of the drinking cup, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the drinking cup from the lid. The steeper may include a first extension pivotable about a hinge for positioning the steeper within the drinking cup. In one embodiment, a portion of the first extension is selectively detachable from the lid. In another embodiment, the steeper further includes a second extension coupled to the first extension. In this embodiment, the first extension fully detaches from the lid and remains coupled to the second extension via a hinge. Accordingly, the second extension pivots about a second hinge coupled to the lid.

The disposable drinking cup cap of the present invention is preferably configured for nestable storage with other similar lids. The drinking cup cap may further include a flavoring agent selectively detachable from the steeper. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the flavoring agent comprises a tea bag. The steeper may also comprise a tab in place of the slit, hook or angled slot.

Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following more detailed description, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention. In such drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lid of the present invention having an integral hook steeper;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 1, further illustrating the steeper depressed along a first section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the lid of FIGS. 1 and 2, further illustrating the steeper depressed along the first section and a second section;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the lid in FIG. 1, taken along the line 4-4;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the lid in FIG. 2, taken along the line 5-5, and illustrating immersion of a teabag via a string;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the lid in FIG. 3, taken along the line 6-6, and illustrating further immersion of a teabag suspended by the actual teabag;

FIG. 7 is a top view of the lid of FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a top view of the lid in FIG. 1, further illustrating an alternative tab;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 8;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 8, further illustrating depression of the tab;

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 9, taken along the line 11-11;

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the lid in FIG. 10, taken along the line 12-12, and illustrating the teabag suspended from the tab;

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of an alternative lid incorporating a steeper and corresponding slot formed therein;

FIG. 14 is a top view of the lid of FIG. 13;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the lid of FIG. 13, further illustrating depression of the steeper and the slot; and

FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the lid of FIG. 15, taken along the line 16-16, and illustrating the teabag suspended from the steeper via the slot.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As shown in the exemplary drawings for purposes of illustration, the present disclosure for a disposable drink cup lid is referred to generally by the reference numeral 20. Turning now to the representative figures in the specification, FIG. 1 illustrates the lid 20 having a hook steeper 22 integral thereto. The lid 20 also includes a flange 24 disposed around the exterior of the lid 20. The flange 24 engages a corresponding rib 26 (FIGS. 5 and 6) formed around the exterior of a cup 28 (shown in phantom in FIGS. 5 and 6). In one embodiment, the rib 26 attaches to the flange 24 to form a snap tight closure to seal an interior chamber 30 of the cup 28. The rib 26 may also attach to the flange 24 via any other method known in the art, including an adhesive, pressure fit, locking mechanism, or friction fit. The important aspect is that the rib 26 and the flange 24 form a liquid tight seal that prevents beverage from the interior chamber 30 from leaking or otherwise spilling. The interior chamber 30, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, retains hot water or another liquid as used in conjunction with the steeping process.

The lid 20 may also include a sipping spout 32 formed integral to a raised ledge 34 as shown in FIGS. 1-3. The raised ledge 34 provides an adequate gap between the lid 20 and the top of the cup 28 to better facilitate exchange of the liquid from within the interior chamber 30 to a user endeavoring to consume the liquid therein. Hence, after filling the cup 28 with a liquid or other beverage, a user may dispense the contents of the interior chamber 30 through the sipping spout 32. The sipping spout 32 is conveniently shaped to receive a flat straw (not shown) or manually dispense liquid therefrom. The flange 24 remains in liquid tight closure with the rib 26 to provide a sufficient seal that prevents leakage thereof. Users may securely dispense the contents of the interior chamber 30 through the sipping spout 32.

Turning now to FIG. 2, the hook steeper 22 is depressed from an initial closed position (FIG. 1) along a first section 35. This first section 35, as better shown in FIG. 5, extends the hook steeper 22 into the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28. An end 36 (best shown in FIG. 1) of the hook steeper 22 is configured to retain a string 38, as shown in phantom in FIG. 5, or other similar attachment. Accordingly, the string 38 is connected to a teabag 40 or other comparable flavoring bag. Moreover, the teabag itself may attach directly to the end 36 (FIG. 6). The hook steeper 22 may include additional sections for further lowering the teabag 40 within the interior chamber 30. As best shown in FIGS. 2 and 6, the hook steeper 22 includes a second section 41. FIG. 6 specifically illustrates the hook steeper 22 depressed to a second depth within the interior chamber 30. Accordingly, the teabag 40 in FIG. 6 is located lower within the interior chamber 30, relative the depth of the teabag 40 in FIG. 5. The additional second section 41 is preferably depressed after the user consumes beverage from the interior chamber 30. The second section 41 is depressed so that the teabag 40 may be continually immersed within the liquid contained by the cup 28 as the liquid level decreases with consumption. The present invention provides that the hook steeper 22 may include additional sections. The sections may be smaller or larger depending on the needs of the consumer or the product immersed within the liquid contained by the cup 28. The first section 35 and the second section 41 are merely provided as sample embodiments of the present invention.

The hook steeper 22 is initially flush with a surface 42. The hook steeper 22 is generally detachable from the surface 42 along a series of score lines forming the hook steeper 22 within the surface 42. As shown in FIG. 5, the hook steeper 22 is detached and bent to a substantially perpendicular position to allow the teabag 40 to be immersed within the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28. Any one of a number of hinges 44 separate the multiplicity of sections that comprise the hook steeper 22. For example, the hook steeper 22 in FIG. 5 has a depressed first section 35 that bends along the hinge 44, as shown. The hook steeper 22 does not completely detach from the lid 20. The hook steeper 22 is free to pivot about the hinge 44 without severing the connection with the surface 42. The hinge 44 prevents the hook steeper 22 from detaching and falling to the bottom of the cup 28. Likewise, when the hook steeper is detached from the surface 42 along the second section 41, a second hinge 45 (best shown in FIG. 6) provides similar pivoting of the hook steeper 22 relative to the surface 42 as hinge 44. In FIG. 6, the hinge 44 is depressed into the interior chamber 30 and is no longer flush with the surface 42. The hook steeper 22 is now able to pivot about the hinge 44 and the second hinge 45. Therefore, the hook steeper 22 continually maintains the teabag 40 in a substantially immersed position within the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28 until the liquid is substantially dispensed.

FIG. 8 alternatively illustrates the lid 20 having a tab 46. The tab 46 functions similar to the hook steeper 22. Depression thereof detaches the tab 46 from the surface 42 of the lid 20. As better shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, the tab 46 is depressed into the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28. In this embodiment, the tab 46 is only depressible to a first position within the interior chamber 30. Although the tab 46 may also be formed from multiple sections as disclosed with the hook steeper 22. The tab 46 is initially flush with the surface 42 as shown in FIGS. 9 and 11. Depression detaches the tab 46 along the series of score lines. Thereafter, the tab 46 extends into the interior chamber 30. Like the hook steeper 22, the tab 46 also remains attached to the surface 42 via the hinge 44. It is also within the purview of the present invention that the hook steeper 22 or the tab 46 may be detachable along the hinge 44. The hinge 44 or the second hinge 45 may be detachable to allow a user to remove the teabag 40 and string 38 (if present) from within the interior chamber 30. Such an embodiment is particularly conducive when the user wants to stop the steeping process.

The lid 20 of the present invention is particularly preferred for use with the teabag 40 as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12 and alternatively in FIG. 6. Although it is contemplated in the present invention that the lid 20 could be used with any beverage that requires immersion of a substance to facilitate a steeping or seeping process therein. The lid 20 is also particularly useful as it overcomes several deficiencies in the prior art. Travel savvy individuals that otherwise do not have time to monitor or manually place the teabag within the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28 are able to simply attach the string 38 (or teabag 40) to either the hook steeper 22 or the tab 46 for immersion within the corresponding liquid. The lid 20 of the present invention, as used with the hook steeper 22 or the tab 46, facilitates the steeping process therein. Accordingly, travelers are able to hold the cup 28 with one hand. Conventionally, tea drinkers need to use two hands to facilitate the steeping process. One hand grasps the cup 28 while the other hand retains the teabag within the interior chamber 30.

Another advantage of the present invention is that the lid 20 is easily stackable to facilitate mass production for disposable applications. For example, the lid 20 is particularly useful in the fast food industry because the lid 20 is compact and inexpensive to manufacture. The lid 20 is preferably made from a plastic or other inexpensive material, but may also be made from any one of a number of different materials, including paper or Styrofoam.

FIGS. 13-16 illustrate another alternative embodiment of the hook steeper 22 in accordance with the present invention. As shown in FIG. 13, the hook steeper 22 further incorporates a slot 48 formed therein. The slot 48 is similarly formed from the surface 42 of the lid 20 via the score lines shown in phantom in FIGS. 13 and 14. The slot 48 is preferably formed at an angle, as shown, relative to the outer portions of the hook steeper 22. An angled slot 48 provides superior retention of the string 38 (FIG. 16) therein relative to a straight slot (not shown). Moreover, the slot 48 may be formed from a variety of different designs, patterns, or zig zags. The slot 48 is also depressed inwardly from the surface 42 about the hinge 44, as shown in FIG. 15. The hook steeper 22 and the slot 48 are similarly able to pivot about the hinge 44 without disengaging from the surface 42 of the lid 20.

FIG. 16 further illustrates an alternative embodiment of the lid 20 affixed to the top surface of the cup 28 by the rib 26. In this embodiment, the hook steeper 22 and the corresponding slot 48 are depressed into the interior chamber 30 of the cup 28. The hook steeper 22 is detached from the surface 42 along the score lines and pivoted about the hinge 44. Preferably, the hook steeper 22 is pivoted to a position that is substantially perpendicular to the plane formed by the surface 42. The hook steeper 22 retains the string 38 by friction or by otherwise gripping the string 38 within the slot 48. In this embodiment, the string 38 need not form a loop as shown in FIGS. 5 and 12. Accordingly, the teabag 40 is suspended within the interior chamber 30 by the string 38 as retained by the slot 48. The teabag 40 remains within the liquid in the interior chamber 30 for the duration of the steeping process. Moreover, the teabag 40 may also incorporate a similar slot 50 for retaining an opposite end of the string 38.

Although several embodiments have been described in detail for purposes of illustration, various modifications may be made to each without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited, except as by the appended claims. 

1. A liquid container cap, comprising: a lid attachable to an upper lip of a container; and a steeper integrally formed with the lid, the steeper pivotable between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover an upper opening of the container, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the container from the lid.
 2. The cap of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a cover portion extending substantially over the upper opening of the container, and a lid retainer integrally formed with the cover portion and engageable with the upper lip of the container.
 3. The cap of claim 2, wherein the lid retainer extends about a periphery of the cover portion.
 4. The cap of claim 2, including a slit in the cover portion for selectively receiving a straw.
 5. The cap of claim 1, wherein the steeper includes a slit, a hook, or an angled slot.
 6. The cap of claim 1, wherein a portion of the steeper selectively detaches from the lid.
 7. The cap of claim 1, wherein the steeper includes a first extension for positioning the steeper within the container.
 8. The cap of claim 7, wherein the first extension pivots about a hinge.
 9. The cap of claim 8, including a second extension coupled to the first extension, wherein the first extension is fully detachable from the lid and remains coupled to the second extension via the hinge.
 10. The cap of claim 9, wherein the second extension pivots about a second hinge coupled to the lid.
 11. The cap of claim 1, wherein lid includes a set of scorelines which define the steeper.
 12. The cap of claim 1, wherein the steeper comprises a tab.
 13. The cap of claim 1, including a flavoring agent selectively detachable from the steeper.
 14. The cap of claim 13, wherein the flavoring agent comprises a teabag.
 15. The cap of claim 1, wherein the lid comprises a drinking aperture.
 16. The cap of claim 1, wherein the lid is configured for nestable storage with other similar lids.
 17. A disposable drinking cup cap, comprising: a lid attachable to an upper lip of a drinking cup, wherein the lid comprises a cover portion extending substantially over an upper opening of the drinking cup, and a peripheral lid retainer integrally formed with the cover portion and engageable with the upper lip of the drinking cup; and a steeper including a slit, a hook, or an angled slot integrally formed with the lid, the steeper pivotable between a first position wherein the steeper and the lid cooperatively partially cover the upper opening of the drinking cup, and a second position wherein the steeper extends into the drinking cup from the lid.
 18. The disposable cap of claim 17, including a slit in the cover portion for selectively receiving a straw.
 19. The disposable cap of claim 17, wherein the steeper includes a first extension pivotable about a first hinge for positioning the steeper within the drinking cup, a portion of the first extension being selectively detachable from the lid.
 20. The disposable cap of claim 19, including a second extension pivotable about a second hinge coupled to the lid, wherein the first extension fully detaches from the lid and is coupled to the second extension via the first hinge.
 21. The disposable cap of claim 17, wherein lid includes a set of scorelines which define the steeper.
 22. The disposable cap of claim 17, including a flavoring agent selectively detachable from the steeper, wherein the flavoring agent comprises a teabag.
 23. The disposable cap of claim 17, wherein the lid comprises a drinking aperture and is configured for nestable storage with other similar lids.
 24. The disposable cap of claim 17, wherein the steeper comprises a tab. 